Dave Hunt

The loco lining was never gold, always pale yellow although reportedly the Weatherburn version was very pale, almost white, on some of the 'yellow belly' Kentish Town engines. Deeley put a stop to that, though, and there was much more uniformity from 1905ish.

Don't forget the lemon chrome on signalboxes too.....

SWMBO often says to me, "Why do you cover up all that lovely, shiny metal with paint? especially as you hate doing it so much." My two sons reckon that they learned most of the swear words they know listening to me when I was spraying models. Dave

Quite right Stephen, I'd forgotten that (hangs head in shame expecting to be voted out of office at the next AGM).

It is my interpretation of Midland Style that the standard colours for stations, goods depots and locomotive sheds were as you have outlined, the chocolate also being described as Venetian red or in those non-PC days as ' ni**er brown', the cream as Denbigh pottery and the doors dark crimson lake, which I am led to believe was actually very close to locomotive and carriage lake. It would seem logical to suppose that a weighbridge office would have the same colours. Dave

Sorry I missed that 'cos it clashed with the astronauts convention...

A bright morning greets the eye today. Just had to make a short-notice appointment with the dentist for later this morning as an unexpected crunchy bit of last night's chicken turned our to be a temporary crown that was fitted last week whilst the proper one is made. Bu**er! The horde has been active since about dawn and Horace the cat has fled to the great outdoors again. I am reliably informed that we're all going swimming this afternoon and that I am making a pasta dish of some sort this evening. This time next week SWMBO and I will be on our way to Fraggle Rock. Roll on...... Good to hear that the escape plan finally worked for Sandy. Hope that getting to grips with the new regime goes OK for John. Have a good day. Dave

I am currently making a 7mm layout depicting a Midland MPD in about 1907. It started out modelled on Hellifield but so that I could keep the baseboard width down to 3ft 6in, so that access to the middle for construction and maintenance purposes was easier, I moved the turntable and a couple of sidings. No problem, I thought, but then Jamie 92208 pointed out that my new arrangement wouldn't really do for a working shed so it was back to the drawing board (well, nearly as I'd already made the baseboards). The amount of research that I have had to go into since then (with Jamie's help) has convinced me that it would have been a lot easier simply to copy the original Hellifield layout but the constraints of size would have involved its own problems. Thus I can wholly appreciate the pros and cons of modelling actual locations versus imaginary ones. However, like other contributors to this discussion I am making all the structures replicas (as best I can) of those to be found in actual locations, thus satisfying my desire to produce something that will look and work like a Midland shed. I hope that I can achieve it. (Maybe I should have stuck to 4mm?) Dave

TBG, that end wall looks great. How did you scribe the brickwork so neatly - which tools did you use etc? Dave

I was once on a train where a Walt was explaining to people around him that he was a Phantom pilot. Since he obviously didn't have a clue what he was talking about I casually asked if he knew a pilot called Dave Hunt. Oh, yes, he knew Dave alright. "Funny you don't recognise me then", I said, whereupon he looked a bit discomfited and muttered that he had to go to the toilet. He never reappeared, much to the amusement of his audience. A cheap shot I know but at the time satisfying. Dave

It seems that a fair number of ERs are indulging in lie-ins today so in the spirit of solidarity I've joined in and am currently enjoying a muggocoffee whilst propped up on the pillows and looking out at a very wet and grey North Salopshire. I'll shortly be heading for the kitchen to make brunch for the bunch before No. 1 son heads back to Chesterfield then SWMBO and I will have a joint planning session on what to do with the horde grandchildren in view of the weather forecast for the week ahead not being great and me having to get The Toe hacked about on Tuesday. Horace the cat isn't impressed with the presence of the gang and apart from occasionally popping in through the bathroom window to get at his food is spending the daylight hours outside somewhere. Once they are all in bed and the noise level has subsided he cautiously reappears but by the time mayhem resumes they get up he's gone again. Hoping that Sandy's release happens soon and the she and John get back to the south west. Have a good day all. Dave

Tricky Another thought (two in one day - am I improving or what?) is that MR switch and crossing drawings are available from the MR Study Centre. I have the 12 ft switch and 1 in 7 crossing ones for yours and my era of modelling and will email you copies if you like but it may be worth looking in the catalogue and/or contacting Dave Harris directly to see whether there are any 1 in 6 crossing ones available. Dave

Is that the one that states for every sensible action there is an equal and opposite dic**ead ?

Lots of falling sky water in this part of the world too. The shock troops grandchildren are here so the morning muggocoffee has been interrupted multiple times by, "Grandad, what's .... " or the like. Off to market now to lay in some supplies of essentials such as crisps and Kit Kats. Oh, and Horace the cat is finding various places to hide from the sounds of battle childrens' noise. Could be a long day. What an inspirational response from Sandy. My prayers are with her and John. Dave

As a 'finescale' modeller, in my case S7, I am naturally inclined to take the stance that P4, 2mm finescale, S7 etc. are better than 00 for the appearance of individual models but when it comes to large, prototypically accurate, layouts with finer 00 standards the overall appearance can be such that the impression is of uniform accuracy and the narrowness of the gauge is not noticeable. This is typified by Little Bytham and those of us who have been fortunate enough to see it in the flesh will also know that although it is 00 the appearance of the track is excellent, with finer than normal flangeways, and the overall impression is enhanced by superb running with none of the 'clunking' that usually accompanies the transit of 00 pointwork. The latter, of course, is due mainly to Norman Solomons' superb tracklaying on the scenic section and is not the case in the fiddle yards where commercial track and points are used. Although I am citing LB as an outstanding example of what can be achieved in 00, it is far from unique in that respect when it comes to 'finer scale' modelling but when one stands and watches scale length, accurately portrayed, beautifully weathered trains running smoothly on an historically accurate piece of railway with beautifully represented scenery and infrastructure, the effect is equally as pleasing, at least to me, as examining in detail a truly ' finescale' model. Dave

Stephen, I think that Adrian did the templates that you refer to many years ago. Tricky, my knowledge of Midland track, such as it is, all comes from Adrian (AKA Rambler) and I'm making my pointwork on his advice. I'm fairly sure that there are significant differences between what the Midland would have used and the later 'standard' B6s and that Midland timbering differed too. It is also worth noting (again this is from Adrian) that the Midland used 30 ft plain track panels with particular sleeper spacing, which I think differed from other companies and the LMS. The bottom line, as the saying goes, is that had I not had Adrian's advice and expertise the track and point work I am making would have been far from correct so I think that it would be well worth your while contacting him. Either PM him or if you would rather email him, PM me and I'll send you his address. Dave

It's my understanding that B6 turnouts were a post-grouping design and that the Midland would have used 1 in 6 common crossings together with 12 ft switches, either loose heeled or after about 1900 ish possibly sprung heeled. I'm not an expert on track, though, and depend for advice on Crimson Rambler, who has made a study of Midland trackwork. Maybe contacting him would be worthwhile? Dave

I can't imagine what Sandy and John are going through but my heart goes out to them. My own tribulations are very small beer in comparison but yesterday I was given a short notice appointment for next Tuesday to have The Toe seen to properly, i.e., the nail removed. The timing is brilliant - we will have the three grandchildren staying with us - but fortunately a friend has offered to take me into Shrewsbury and had I turned down the appointment the next available one would have been late September. It will also be a bit awkward for our stay on at Fraggle Rock for our golden wedding the following week but I guess that's a small price to pay. So, Baz, Jamie and Hippo thanks for the offers involving various chopping implements but it looks as though your attentions won't be necessary after all. It's a somewhat cooler North Salopshire this morning following some heavy showers last night, which right on cue started about two hours after I'd watered all the pot plants and hanging baskets. Once muggocoffee No. 2 has been consumed it's off to do some work for a debt advice charity I'm involved with then getting ready for the arrival of the horde, the main item on the agenda being manufacture of one of grandad's chocolate cakes that can often be used as a bribe for good behaviour. Stay cool and be happy. Dave

A horrible non-sleep night last night. Not because of the heat, just one of those nights when sleep wouldn't come - brain too active mulling over a thousand and one things I suppose. Horace the cat and I spent most of the time in a spare room so as not to disturb SWMBO who was peacefully asleep. Today is forecast to reach 30-odd degrees with high humidity, which will make it ideal for preparing the house for the attack of the horde arrival of the grandchildren tomorrow. At least by then the temperature may well be less uncomfortable. Have a good one. Dave

It's a good job that SWMBO got me to water all her pot plants and hanging baskets yesterday evening as it was at least five hours before the torrential rain, lightning and thunder started. Horace the cat (who for those with long memories was a couple of months ago in the process of adopting us but has now moved in and runs the household) came in through an open bedroom window like an Exocet when it started, his tail like Basil Brush. Or to bring it up to date, like our new Prime Minister's hairstyle. Off to the market once muggocoffee has been consumed then SWMBO has promised me a trip to the rubbish tip as a special treat. Life is just one excitement after another.... Have a good day; in particular hopes that John and Sandy's lot improves. Dave

Got my subscription copy today. Excellent. Dave

I was there with both types. IIRC when Mrs. T visited in '92 it was just before the Phantoms were replaced by the F3s. My last detachment down there was in 2000 but probably the most memorable was over Christmas '93 for reasons that are best left unsaid, although having been there you probably have a fair idea. A fairly sticky day here but fortunately the workshop has no south facing windows (a deliberate design detail) and is fitted with window blinds so it is tenable. Mind you, I'm glad I've finished filing point blades - it's far too hot for that sort of thing. Nothing else to report but commiserations for Aditi and prayers and hopes for Sandy and John. Have a peaceful night everyone. Dave

We were there at the same time then Q. I was on one of my many Falklands stints on 1435 Flight. Good morning everybody. Another fine start to the day on the patio of Chez Nous with the morning muggocoffee contemplating life, the universe and why it's taking C&L so long to send the bits I've ordered. Apart from that I've no firm plans but no doubt things will develop. Have a good day all. Dave

What did I do with my day that was mainly uninterrupted by domestic trivia? I hear you ask. Filed point blades and bits for crossing vees, that's what. Not exactly an exciting way of spending several hours but quite productive, even though my wrists and back are aching, as I'm now within one more day's work or so of finishing all the bits and pieces I need for producing my layout's pointwork. As a treat I awarded myself a nice pastie for dinner and am now contemplating a drop of Scottish fermented barley juice. Do I know how to live or what? TTFN Dave

Good morning. SWMBO and two pals are off out for the day so apart from a visit to the nurse to get The Toe dressed this afternoon I'm being left to my own devices. Wonder what I'll do........ possibly something with small pieces of metal? I'll have to make the most of this week as on Friday evening the first wave of Huns grandchildren descend on us arrive for a week then a fortnight today we're off to Fraggle Rock for a week. Jamie - the bad news is that cockerels don't lay eggs. Have a successful day. Good luck with the broadband and the injection Chris. Dave